Why the World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF)?
The world is not doing enough to deal with the challenge of climate change, and in implementing the spirit and purpose of the Paris Agreement on climate change. At the same time, we now have the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which have been in existence for four years, but are hardly receiving the attention that they deserve. Meanwhile, the inequalities across the globe, the degradation of our ecosystems and the massive challenge of poverty remain largely unaddressed. The recent extreme events which have devastated the Caribbean region and Central and North America are a grim reminder of what is to come if we do not act.
We need to activate every possible forum to create a coalition of government decision makers, business leaders, civil society and academia and the public at large to provide new momentum to deal with climate change and a move to sustainability in economic activities. It is particularly important that the youth of the world be drawn into appropriate initiatives and actions by which they safeguard their own future, and provide human society with new directions and values.


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Background
There are various platforms on which the Implementation of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs are discussed in different parts of the world, but there is a considerable gap in one single high profile platform which brings together political leaders from various levels, and leaders of business, research and academia and civil society where the latest developments related to policies, technologies and programs are discussed involving different countries of the world, and a resolve created for action at the grassroots level by all stakeholders.
The World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated separately in continental Europe, the Nordic region and the U.S. Its North American arm WSDF-NA, headquartered in Washington, DC carries 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. WSDF is a global initiative to promote and mobilize global action for effective implementation of both the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN General Assembly. WSDF’s relevance and role lies in acting as a knowledge provider and facilitator for helping with implementation of actions required under these two sets of agreements. WSDF is in a unique position because of its convening power with those who can act to meet the priorities of society defined by the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. WSDF is working to analyse and facilitate the transformation of society towards a post-fossil fuel future while implementing the critical goals identified in the SDGs.
The WSDF has the support of distinguished leaders from across the globe as Patrons of the organization.

Areas of Focus
Governments reached a historic agreement in Paris in 2015 to tackle the growing challenge of climate change. In the same year, the UN General Assembly adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with clear outcomes targeted for 2030. While governments will certainly work towards meeting their commitments both in respect of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, the urgency of taking adequate action requires grassroots initiatives involving all stakeholders. The World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF) is attempting to create awareness; to spread information and knowledge; and to inspire action for meeting the challenge of climate change and implementing the 17 SDGs across the globe.
Activities
The activities of the World Sustainable Development Forum are in two broad categories which include stakeholder engagement, and research and analysis.
For stakeholder engagement, through global forums, WSDF seeks to engage with policy makers, international organizations, business icons, civil society and youth.
In terms of research, WSDF produces analytical briefs on topical issues to drive ambition and action to address climate change and meet the sustainable development goals.

Patrons of
WSDF

H.E. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
Former President of GuyanaPatron-In-Chief
H.E. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
Former President of GuyanaPatron-In-Chief

Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
Former President of MauritiusPatron

H.E. Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Former Governor of CaliforniaPatron

H.E. Mr. Anote Tong
Former President of Kiribati
H.E. Dr. Danilo Türk
Former President of the Republic of SloveniaPatron

Dr. Erik Solheim
Former Executive Director, UNEPPatron

H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn
Former Prime Minister of EthiopiaPatron

H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai
Former President of AfghanistanPatron

H.E. Mr. James Alix Michel
Former President of the Republic of SeychellesPatron

H.E. Mr. Jean Charest
Former Premier of Quebec and Former Minister of Environment, CanadaPatron

H.E. Mr. Jean-Louis Borloo
President of Energies for Africa, and Former Minister, FrancePatron

The Rt. Hon. The Lord John Prescott
London, United KingdomPatron

H.E. Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Former President of SpainPatron

H.E. Mr. José Manuel Barroso
Former President of European CommissionPatron

H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta
Former President of East Timor (Nobel Laureate)Patron

H.E. Dr. José Rosas Aispuro Torres
Governor of DurangoHost Patron

H.E. Mr. Kevin Michael Rudd
Former Prime Minister of AustraliaPatron

H.E. Dr. Lawrence Gonzi
Former Prime Minister of MaltaPatron

H.E. Dr. Leonel Fernández
Former President of the Dominican Republic & President, FUNGLODEPatron

H.E. Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Former President of MaldivesPatron

Prof. the Hon. Mike Rann
Former Premier of South AustraliaPatron

H.E. Mr. Ricardo Lagos
Former President of Republic of ChilePatron

H.E. Ms. Rosalía Arteaga
Former Constitutional President of EcuadorPatron

H.E. Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj
Former President of MongoliaPatron

H.E. Ms. Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Former President of LatviaPatron

H.E. Dr. Yukio Hatoyama
Former Prime Minister of JapanPatron